German magazine mistakenly publishes George HW Bush's obituary

The German news magazine Der Spiegel has mistakenly published an obituary for former US president George HW Bush, who is sick in hospital.

George H.W. Bush celebrates his 88th birthday on June 12, 2012Photo: GETTY

10:42PM GMT 30 Dec 2012

The unfinished article appeared on the magazine's website for a matter of minutes, before being taken down.

In the obituary, the magazine's New York correspondent described Mr Bush as a "colourless politician" whose image only improved when compared to the presidency of his son, George W Bush.

The magazine apologised for the error on its Twitter feed, saying it was a technical mistake and "all newsrooms prepare obituaries for selected figures."

Mr Bush, 88, has been in hospital since Nov 23 for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough. His condition worsened last week when he developed a fever, but his spokesman later said he had been moved out of intensive care and was improving.